Winner of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for FictionWinner of the Gotham Book PrizeOne of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of the YearOprah's Book Club PickNamed one of the Top 10 Books of the Year by the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and Time MagazineA Washington Post Notable NovelFrom the author of the National Book Award-winning The Good Lord Bird and the best-selling modern classic The Color of Water comes one of the most celebrated novels of the year. In September 1969, a fumbling, cranky old church deacon known as Sportcoat shuffles into the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project in South Brooklyn, pulls a .38 from his pocket, and, in front of everybody, shoots the project's drug dealer at point-blank range.The reasons for this desperate burst of violence and the consequences that spring from it lie at the heart of Deacon King Kong, James McBride's funny, moving novel and his first since his National Book Award-winning The Good Lord Bird. In Deacon King Kong, McBride brings to vivid life the people affected by the shooting: the victim, the African American and Latinx residents who witnessed it, the White neighbors, the local cops assigned to investigate, the members of the Five Ends Baptist Church where Sportcoat was deacon, the neighborhood's Italian mobsters, and Sportcoat himself.As the story deepens, it becomes clear that the lives of the characters - caught in the tumultuous swirl of 1960s New York - overlap in unexpected ways. When the truth does emerge, McBride shows us that not all secrets are meant to be hidden, that the best way to grow is to face change without fear, and that the seeds of love lie in hope and compassion.Bringing both his masterly storytelling skills and his abiding faith in humanity, James McBride has written a novel every bit as involving as The Good Lord Bird and as emotionally honest as The Color of Water. Told with insight and wit, Deacon King Kong demonstrates that love and faith live in all of us.
Deacon King Kong: A Novel by James McBride is an inspiring and poignant tale set in 1969 Brooklyn, New York. The protagonist, Deacon Cuffy "King Kong" Meggs, is a 72-year-old church deacon and former numbers runner who finds himself drawn into a life-changing event that will test his faith, courage, and resilience.
The story begins when King Kong is reluctantly tasked with delivering a mysterious package to a local gangster, Sportcoat. Unbeknownst to King Kong, the package contains $60,000 in stolen drug money. When the money is stolen, King Kong is framed for the crime and must navigate a dangerous web of deception and violence to clear his name.
As King Kong delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a complex web of corruption involving the police, the church, and the local community. Along the way, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including his devoted wife Hettie, his loyal friend and fellow deacon Cutty, and the enigmatic Sportcoat. Through his interactions with these individuals, King Kong gains a newfound understanding of himself, his community, and the power of grace and forgiveness.
McBride's writing is beautifully crafted and evocative, capturing the essence of 1960s Brooklyn with vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue. He skillfully weaves together themes of race, religion, and justice, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Deacon King Kong is a powerful and moving story that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a compelling exploration of the complex social and political issues that shaped America in the 1960s and continue to resonate today. McBride's novel is a must-read for anyone interested in African American history, social justice, or simply a well-crafted and unforgettable story.
